Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions, and setting new standards. Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities, and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness. In this series called women in wellness we are talking to women doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness trainers, researchers, health experts, coaches, and other wellness professionals to share their stories and insights. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Laura Martin.
Laura Martin is a mountain biker and blogger based in the Scottish Highlands. Last year she took on the hardest and highest mountain bike race in the world over the Annapurna Circuit Nepal. She has a passion for mental health awarness and getting more women in to cycling. She Started her site missljbeauty.com to share her passions with the world.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?
Having grown up in a small fishing village in the north of Scotland I have always been outdoorsy. I would take my old bike up the mountains around me and try to get down the walker’s paths. This was long before I even knew what mountain biking was.
At school if I am honest I struggled being one of the handful of dyslexic students in my small high school. I had a passion for English but after one of my teachers told me I would never be able to pursue a career in it I felt deflated. I went on to study acting and a few other vocations. I found myself struggling mentally and I didn’t know what to do so I started a blog to give myself an outlet for my feelings and to share my passions with the world. Here is where my site missljbeauty.com was founded. I finally found a place in the world where I could really talk about my passions and what I was going through.
During this time I moved to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands known for its mountain biking and being the host of the UK round of the Downhill Mountain Biking World Cup and here my passion for cycling was born. I started to share my passion through Instagram and I took part in some races. Fast forward to last year when I entered the Yak Attack.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?
This would have to be taking part in the highest mountain bike race in the world and being one of only 5 women to complete the race that year. Cycling over the Annapurna Circuit with its 5416-meter pass. When I signed up to the race I didn’t actually know how hard this would be. Yes, you can read all about the different days racing but you really don’t understand the physical and mental barriers you will take on at high altitude and just how much determination you can have when you set your mind to something. This was nine days of racing with one rest day in the middle. Battling extreme conditions and of course high altitude you just don’t know how this will affect your body.
What I should mention is I was once a UK size 24 and with a lot of determination and finding the love of cycling I managed to get to a healthy and fit place. Never did I ever think I would be standing at the top of Thorong La pass looking down on the world not only being there but racing my bike there. I even managed to do this while nursing a knee injury.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
The main lesson I have learned is you are far more capable than you think you are. I never thought one day I would be able to take on and complete this race but my body and mind are far more capable than I give them credit for. I want to encourage more women into cycling if I can you can.
In mountain biking injuries happen this is after all an extreme sport. I broke three ribs before my wedding day. But it is in the injury you find your inner strength. I could easily have given up after every injury but Nothing motivates you more than the feeling of freedom riding a bike out in nature gives you. I have never found a better coping mechanism than biking in nature for my mental health.
Let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?
I am out there promoting women in cycling as much as I can. If I can encourage one woman to take a ride on a bike and find the joy of cycling again then I feel I have done my job. Cycling is proven to help not only your fitness but your mental health and I think this is really important.
Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing?
1 . Take time for yourself, saying “No” is not a weakness it is a positive you need to prioritise yourself. You do not have to say yes to things that don’t serve you. I know I have been guilty of this in the past. But I have found that I need self care time to recharge myself.
2 . Find fitness that makes you happy. No matter what it is. You need to really enjoy it to make it a lasting hobby. Making healthy changes can be hard. So by finding things that really make you smile is the way to make time for them in the long run.
3 . It is ok to not be ok. There is no shame in asking for help. If you are struggling please talk to someone. I went too long before I told people how I was feeling and this led me down a very bad path in my mental health journey and I could not recommend enough speaking to someone as soon as you can.
4 . Find time for fun. We are all busy and it can be hard to find the fun in life. We are all guilty of putting everything else in front of fun but it is good for us to laugh and smile. Make time for happiness by doing this I feel more positive and productive.
5 . Take some time in nature. Whether this be going for a walk in the woods or spending time watching the waves lap the beach. Take some time to centre yourself in the moment you are in. I find by doing this I can quiet a busy mind. I find when life is throwing you a constant curve ball this can bring me back to reality and help me get centred.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I would get everyone back on their bikes. Remember the freedom you felt as a child riding your bike I want to bring that back into people’s lives. I really believe there is power in cycling. It not only helps you physically and mentally but it can bring a new network of friends into your life.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
1. You will get better. In some ways, it is like riding a bike but there are always new things to learn and you will get better it just takes time.
2. It is ok to not want to do it. Take time out its ok.
3. Being a male-dominated industry doesn’t mean you can’t do it. I was told a lot about the lack of women in cycling but with every year our number grow and there is a thriving community of women in mountian biking.
4. You don’t have to be the best at everything just go out and have fun.
5. You are stronger than you think. I compared myself to all my friends when I started and we are all so individual that this is an impossible thing to do. You are stronger than you think and it is ok to forge your own path.
Sustainability, veganism, mental health, and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?
Mental health is a cause really close to my heart. I have gone through some really dark periods with mental health and I advocate for mental health to be made a priority in everyone’s life.
What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?
www.missljbeauty.com and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missljbeauty/
Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health.
